They're going all the way: TE Rob Gronkowski is (almost) back — he's still favoring his recovering right knee and is said to be 50-50 for the opener against the Dolphins. Regardless, Tom Brady finds a way to win no matter who's in his supporting cast. The Patriots addressed their defensive shortcomings with some impressive additions, among them CBs Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner.

They're doomed: The Patriots have an aging defensive front, notably with Vince Wilfork coming off surgery for a torn Achilles tendon. Their first-round pick, DT Dominique Easley, suffered ACL tears to both knees at Florida.

They're going all the way: QB Nick Foles is coming off an unbelievable season, with 27 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. LeSean McCoy is the defending rushing champion and the game's most devastating cutback runner. If Jason...

(Sam Farmer)

Now hear this: "Nah, I ain't changing that one bit. I'm going to go full speed when I'm out there and I'm going to keep smashing and dashing in everything I do." — Gronkowski, on whether he'll change his style after a slew of injuries and surgeries, via WEEI.

Miami Dolphins

2013: 8-8, third.

Last in playoffs: 2008.

They're going all the way: Even though the Dolphins are a so-so 15-17 with him at the helm, QB Ryan Tannehill has shown flickers of promise despite playing behind a terrible line and without a big, go-to receiver who can bail him out of trouble. Maybe Knowshon Moreno will resuscitate the running game.

They're doomed: With Mike Pouncey still recovering from hip surgery, the Dolphins will open with five new offensive linemen. While that's a necessity for a team that gave up a league-high 58 sacks last season, it's tough to see that group meshing right away. The Dolphins are on their fourth offensive coordinator in five years.

Now hear this: "I heard a rumor that some people have reported we've made it hard for him on the field. That's on purpose. That's how you build a quarterback. He's coming." — offensive coordinator Bill Lazor on Tannehill.

They're going all the way: The strength of the Jets is their young, athletic defensive line, and the front seven — led by Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison — will smother the run and generate a solid pass rush. QB Geno Smith appears to be a better decision-maker than last season and has the pressure of Michael Vick waiting in the wings.

They're doomed: The Jets are scrambling for answers in the secondary, with No. 1 CB Dee Milliner injured, Dimitri Patterson released and rookie Dex McDougle lost for the season with a torn ACL.

Now hear this: "I never said I had to have the best corner in football. That's not it. My defenses work, period. I don't care what it is. We take what we have, and then we work around it. ... That's why, to me, it's not a panic situation, it's an opportunity." — coach Rex Ryan.

They're doomed: It has been a steady stream of bad news this offseason: from the death of owner Ralph Wilson to the cancer battle of Jim Kelly to the issues that could directly affect the 2014 team — among them the arrests of Dareus for illegal car racing and drug possession and a season-ending ACL injury to second-year star LB Kiko Alonso.

Now hear this: "We've got a lot to prove. ... We haven't been in the playoffs in a long time. ... we're planning to be a playoff team." — GM Doug Whaley, to the Buffalo News.

They're going all the way: With Hue Jackson as offensive coordinator, the Bengals won't be paying lip service to the running game as much as they did under Jay Gruden. That means an enhanced role for RBs Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill, and less pressure on QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green. DT Geno Atkins anchors a terrific front.

They're doomed: Everybody's looking to see how the Bengals will do in January, as they are 0-5 in playoff games under Marvin Lewis. But with Dalton playing all four quarters, the Bengals are 1-7 as visitors in the AFC North. In prime-time games, they're 2-4.

Now hear this: "The people who are the critics, they look at all of the negatives. They don't look at all of the stuff that I've accomplished. … All that matters is what everyone believes in this organization and what I believe in myself. — Dalton, via the Cincinnati Enquirer.

They're going all the way:Ben Roethlisberger has shown increasing efficiency in Todd Haley's offense and was sacked just seven times in the final seven games last season. The running game should be improved with bruisers Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount bashing inside. C Maurkice Pouncey is back at full speed after missing all but eight plays last season because of a knee injury.

They're doomed: Despite being younger and quicker on defense, the Steelers haven't proved they can stop the run. They are ultrathin at corner. Four of Roethlisberger's top five receivers are essentially new faces, with the only familiar one being Antonio Brown.

Now hear this: "Hopefully (when the season ends) I'm not one of them." — coach Mike Tomlin, to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, in reference to having three fired head coaches on his staff: Haley, Mike Munchak and Dick LeBeau.

Baltimore Ravens

2013: 8-8, third.

Last in playoffs: 2012.

They're going all the way: The running game will be a staple with Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator. The Ravens ranked 29th in offense last season and are bound to be better. Steve Smith is another capable target for Joe Flacco, and Smith finally has a quarterback with pinpoint accuracy getting him the ball. The offensive line is improved.

They're doomed: A defense that once had the quintessential center fielder in Ed Reed no longer has a menacing safety patrolling the back end. Pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are on the wrong side of 30. RB Ray Rice is suspended for the first two games — against the Bengals and Steelers.

Now hear this: "This offense is going to be pretty tough to handle. We've got a lot of weapons and we've got a lot of tough guys. I expect us to be up there at the top of the league." — Flacco, to Baltimore Ravens.com.

They're going all the way: Defensively, the Browns are in good shape. They ranked ninth in yards allowed last season, and they believe they can get a lot more pass-rushing productivity out of LBs Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo. They have two talented press corners in Joe Haden and rookie Justin Gilbert.

They're doomed: The jury is still out on Johnny Manziel, but his decision-making hasn't been stellar. He has attracted the wrong kind of attention for his off-field antics. Brian Hoyer will start the season as the No. 1 quarterback, but he's coming off an ACL injury and has little experience. And WR Josh Gordon is suspended for the season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Now hear this: "We have his back. ... It's not going to be a quick hook." — coach Mike Pettine on Hoyer, saying he told the quarterback, "This is your team, this is your offense."

They're doomed: Some of the major questions heading into training camp — Will the young interior of the offensive line be an issue? Who will replace safety Antoine Bethea? — still linger. The Colts have a rookie starting at left guard and a first-year starter at center, and the safety job opposite LaRon Landry remains up for grabs. Trent Richardson is coming off a season in which he averaged 3.0 yards per carry, and sacks leader Robert Mathis is suspended for the first four games.

Now hear this: "Trent needs to answer the bell and do his job to the best of his ability. We're all accountable here." — GM Ryan Grigson, on Richardson.

They're going all the way: Maybe Ken Whisenhunt can resurrect a franchise that hasn't won a postseason game since 2003. The Titans have a good foundation with a solid offensive line and defenders who can pressure the passer in Akeem Ayers, Shaun Phillips, Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley.

They're doomed: This is a prove-it year for QB Jake Locker, who has missed 14 of 32 games since being named the starter. The Titans cut the inconsistent but occasionally spectacular Chris Johnson in April, and parting ways with Pro Bowl CB Alterraun Verner could be costly.

Now hear this: "It's a different mood. ... You're just excited and ready to play. (Before) you just had a lot of guys that had other things on their minds. Other things were more important. They were just happy to be here rather than more happy to win games." — S Michael Griffin, to TitansInsider.com.

They're going all the way: The Texans don't have all the pieces to win consistently now, but they have enough to start building. WR Andre Johnson finally has a capable sidekick in DeAndre Hopkins, and there's ample depth behind RB Arian Foster. On defense, everyone's looking at what kind of damage the dynamic duo of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney can do. They figure to give fits to opposing offenses.

They're doomed: Quarterback is a big question mark as Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't look like a long-term answer. The Texans are shaky at safety and aren't great in coverage in general. The offensive line is solid at left tackle, center and right guard, but left guard and right tackle appear to be problematic.

Now hear this: "He better have his head on a swivel because I'm coming and I know J.J.'s coming." — Clowney, on Colts QB Andrew Luck.

They're going all the way: Yes, he's facing vanilla defenses in exhibition games, but rookie QB Blake Bortles has looked excellent. He's accurate on short and deep passes and has a hint of Ben Roethlisberger in him. Bortles isn't expected to play for the first month, but he could be a franchise quarterback.

They're doomed: This team will be better than the one that started 0-8 last season. The top four receivers are promising but young — basically three rookies and Cecil Shorts, entering his fourth season. Gus Bradley imported some defensive help from Seattle in ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant, so the Jaguars are bigger and deeper up front.

Now hear this: "We do feel good about where Blake's at, but we feel like this time that he has under Chad — a year to develop — will be really good in the end." Bradley, to NFL Network, on the decision to start Chad Henne at quarterback.

They're doomed: Manning has had two great seasons in Denver, but does he have another at 38? The defensive additions might look better on paper than in reality. Several key players are coming off injuries, including LB Von Miller and LT Ryan Clady. Plus WR Wes Welker is suspended for the first four games. And the schedule is tough, with games against the NFC West.

Now hear this: "(Manning) has got more weapons around him than he's ever had. There's more depth behind him. The offensive line is probably the best he's ever played behind." — GM John Elway.

They're going all the way:Philip Rivers was back to form last season, leading the league in completion percentage and finally getting some help from a running game and better blocking. Pass defense was a major concern last season, but it improved late. It should be better still with the addition of two good cornerbacks in first-round pick Jason Verrett and free agent Brandon Flowers.

They're doomed: The Chargers need to generate a pass rush, and their two biggest threats are coming off serious injuries: Melvin Ingram a torn ACL and Dwight Freeney a torn quadriceps. D-line depth is a problem, as is tackling.

Now hear this: "I've watched that playoff game so many times. Some of it is watching it for fun — not that all of that game was fun — and some of it's for, man, how close were we? We were right there. Let's get back right there." — Rivers on the 24-17 loss to the Broncos.

They're going all the way:Andy Reid executed a brilliant makeover in his first season — they went from 2-14 to 11-5 — and he guided an NFL franchise to the playoffs for the 10th time in 15 seasons. The defensive front seven is loaded, and Eric Berry is among the best safeties in the game. On offense, there's the steady hand of QB Alex Smith and the playmaking speed of RB Jamaal Charles.

They're doomed: The Chiefs won just two of their last seven games last season. They lost a lot in free agency, especially on the O-line and in the secondary.

Now hear this: "I'm still not over it. Of all the games I've played ... I don't know if I've ever hurt more than after that game. Then to have to sit on that for 31/2 months, it's not fun." — DE Mike DeVito, to ESPN.com, on the Chiefs blowing a 28-point lead in the third quarter to lose to the Colts in the playoffs.

They're going all the way: The Raiders don't lack for experience. They loaded up in the offseason with former NFL stars who have lost their luster: QB Matt Schaub, RB Maurice Jones-Drew and defenders Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, Antonio Smith and Carlos Rogers. If those players — or even most of them — can make the impact the Raiders are expecting, the club can avoid a third consecutive four-win season.

They're doomed: Seldom does an influx of expensive, 30-something free agents produce the desired results. The Raiders are turning could to rookie QB Derek Carr sooner than they hoped. A strong secondary is essential in this division, and the Raiders have work to do there.

Now hear this: "He's really calm, really cool in the pocket. ... I've been calling him mini A-Rod since he got here." — former Packers WR James Jones, comparing Carr to Aaron Rodgers.